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The Complete Guide to Jobs in South Africa
Is it easy to get jobs in South Africa?
Yes! But it’s important to arrive with a specific skill or qualification, which you intend on uitilising in a specific economic sector. Key industries to target, include mining, manufacturing, banking, tourism, and agriculture.
In this guide, we look at important reasons to settle in the country, together with the jobs in South Africa that are currently most in demand.
What jobs are there in South Africa?
The 20 most in-demand jobs in South Africa currently, based on roles posted in 2023, are as follows:
- middle or department management
- software development
- representative or sales consulting
- financial or project accounting
- systems or networking administration
- admin clerk
- bookkeeping
- senior management
- team leader or supervisor
- data analysis or warehousing
- business analysis
- building project management
- accounts payable or receivable
- business development
- purchasing and procurement
- human resources
- executive management or director
- client or customer support
- account management
- cost and management accounting
When it comes to sectors in South Africa, the following five have remained in highest demand:
- business and management
- banking and finance
- information technology
- sales
- admin and office support
Gauteng is South Africa's powerhouse, accounting for 34.6 percent of the country’s GDP, while the Western Cape accounts for 13.7 percent. See “The nine province’s contribution to the South Africa’s economy”, here.
Where does South Africa rank out of best countries to live and work in?
South Africa has been ranked 46 out of 87 countries (up from 42 in 2022), in the 2023 Best Countries report, carried out by the combined teams from US News & World Report, Y&R’s BAV Group, and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
South Africa’s strengths were noted in the categories of heritage (shaping history with its culture), movers (how prepared it is to weather challenges posed by the global economy), and adventure (level of adventure based on an equally weighted average of scores from six attributes related to adventure within a country: friendly, fun, good for tourism, pleasant, climate, and scenic).
The report, which takes into account the input of over 17 000 participants, bases its results on a variety of metrics – utilising a wide array of criteria ranging from economic influence and business environment, to quality of life and social purpose, to reveal how nations are perceived on a global scale.
What is there to do in South Africa?
While Lonely Planet ranks South Africa as “one of the world’s top Big 5 safari destinations”, there is plenty more to see, do, and experience within Africa’s southern-most nation. Here’s a list to keep you busy, season-dependent, for those first few months while you’re still feeling like a tourist:
To avoid getting lost, or missing out on anything truly spell-binding, purchase a guide book on the region you’re keen to visit next from the country’s largest book franchise, Exclusive Books; and don’t forget to switch on your Google Maps app en route to the next adventure.
What is it really like working and living in South Africa?
Aetna International, a global leader in the health and well-being industry, advises that if you fixate on the Rainbow Nation’s safety issues, you will miss out on an enjoyment of its “rich diversity of cultures, cuisines, art and architecture, as well as the stunning scenery” laid out all around you.
Additionally, South Africa boasts “a climate that’s well suited to outdoor pursuits, a magnificent landscape to explore, and a beautiful coastline … [It’s] an inviting place for those who love to get out and have fun”.
The country’s nationals tend to be friendly and welcoming, their description continues; and adore to enjoy a few drinks and a little charcoal-cooked food (meat, potatoes, and vegetables too!) over an open fire called a “braai”.
Sport is also very important to South Africans, who are generally rather passionate about the performances of their national cricket and rugby sides; and their time keeping can prove a little less punctual than you may be used to at home, with phrases like “now-now” meaning as far in the future as sometime in the upcoming year.
On a serious note, this is a hard-working nation that respects “politeness and decency”, enjoys an extremely high standard of health care in the private sector, and boasts one of the world’s most sophisticated banking systems.
Where to live in South Africa
An article from PSS International Removals advises that while there are plenty of great cities and towns to choose from, a list of highly desirable places to relocate to has emerged over the past five years. These South African desinations include:
- Cape Town, for IT and marketing professionals
- Johannesburg, for young expats
- Durban, for surfers and frequent beach goers
- Port Elizabeth, for students
- Pretoria, for retirees
- George and Hermanus, for work-life balance
- East London, for luxurious housing options
- Mossel Bay, for a quiter pace of living
- Knysna, for top-ranked healthcare
- Paarl, for wine professionals and family-friendly neighbourhoods
- Stellenbosch, for sport and academic excellence
- Somerset West, for active individuals and families
- Bloemfontein, for those in the legal and political games
- Nelspruit, for its close proximity to game parks and the regular wildlife sightings you can experience here
- Plettenberg Bay, for a lower cost of living than many of South Africa’s big cities.
A sensible way to make the decision is to apply for the job you most want first and then, once accepted, make school applications (if you have kids) – followed by a decision on the nicest city or suburb in close proximity.
How do I find a Job in South Africa?
One of the best ways of finding a job in South Africa is to register your CV on the Executive Placements job portal, which is used by hundreds of top recruiters based across the country.
Also ensure that your profile on LinkedIn is up to date, and follow a range of helpful tips offered here – which should put you ahead of the competition in landing any sought-after roles.
What is it really like working and living in South Africa?
South Africa is located at the southern-most part of the African continent, while simultaneously sharing borders with Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Eswatini. Lesotho is landlocked within its borders.
What is the average professional salary in South Africa?
The experts at Talent.com reveal that the average professional salary in South Africa is R423 005 per year – which equates to R217 per hour, or R35 250.42 per month.
Although entry-level posts may start at R240k annually, those individuals with rare skills or extensive experience can make up to R5 731 800 per year in the country.
What is South Africa best know for?
According to encyclopaedia website Britannica.com, SA is undoubtedly most reknowned for its “varied topography, great natural beauty, and [extensive] cultural diversity”.
However, those intent on relocating to the country may also like to do a little reading or video-clip watching on the topics listed below:
- Kruger National Park and Addo Elephant National Park
- Boulders penguin colony
- Wine regions
- Best beaches
- 11 official languages
- Table Mountain, Drakensberg, and Pilanesberg
- Robben Island and Apartheid Museum
- Fabulous weather and the beauty of the Cape Floral Kingdom.
How long does it take to travel from one end of South Africa (Johannesburg), to the other end (Cape Town)?
It takes 14 hours by car to travel the 1 390 km; or, instead, enjoy a blink-and-its over two-hour flight.
What is the weather like in South Africa, and how much does it vary from one region to another?
While this is a country known for its long and outdoorsy summer, it features both “sub-tropical and temperate climate conditions”, reveal the experts at Climate Change Knowledge Portal.
Think the influence of the ocean along the east and west coasts, together with the interior plateaux, resulting in a cool and wet climate in the Drakensberg region; followed by a warm, sub-tropical vibe in the north east; a Mediterranean climate in the south west; and a warm dry climate in the central west and north. But, don’t stress: you’ll soon settle into the typical climate of your chosen region of relocation, and can expect an average temperature of between 15 and 36 degrees each day in summer; versus a –2 to 26 degree average in the winter months.
